Research: Optimal Microgrid Energy Management Incorporating Demand Response and Peer-to...

Research question: How can microgrid energy management systems optimally integrate demand response and peer-to-peer trading to enhance operational efficiency and grid reliability?

Background & Motivation: The increasing penetration of distributed renewable energy resources has led to the proliferation of microgrids, which offer localized energy management and resilience. Advanced energy management strategies, including demand response and peer-to-peer (P2P) energy trading, have the potential to further improve microgrid efficiency and user participation.

Research Gap: While demand response and P2P trading have each been studied separately, there is limited research on their integrated impact on microgrid performance, especially in terms of operational cost, load balancing, and system reliability under varying renewable generation and demand conditions.

Approach & Expected Contribution: This study will develop and simulate a microgrid energy management framework that incorporates both demand response signals and a P2P trading market among prosumers, using optimization models and agent-based simulations. The framework’s performance will be evaluated through case studies using realistic consumption and generation datasets. Expected contributions include quantitative insights into the synergy and potential trade-offs of combined demand response and P2P trading in microgrids.

Significance: This research informs the design of next-generation microgrid controllers and market mechanisms, supporting greater renewable integration, enhanced flexibility, and user-driven participation, which are critical for future smart grids.